ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority prescribes New NPS Subscriber Registration Form – Additional Mandatory Requirements
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority  has been established by the Government of India for regulation and development of Pension Sector in order to protect the old age income security of subscribers. PFRDA takes various initiatives from time to time in order to simplify and improve the operational issues in National Pension System  like new functionality development under NPS architecture, simplification of account opening, withdrawal, grievance management etc. In this regard, it has been decided by the Authority to make bank account details and mobile no. mandatory to provide ease of operation for the benefit of subscribers and make the process of Exit from NPS hassle free.
Further, in compliance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act guidelines issued by the Government of India, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act  and Central Registry of Securitization Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest  have been made mandatory for new as well as existing subscribers. These have been made mandatory in the new Common Subscriber Registration Form  forms that are required to be filled in by the new subscribers. The existing subscribers have been provided the facility to submit online FATCA Self-Certification in their login . The information regarding the said functionality is also made available on Central Record-keeping Agency  websites. The steps to be followed by the subscriber to submit online FATCA self-certification are also mentioned on the website.
It is to be ensured by the subscribers to fill the mandatory fields correctly and not leave them blank in order to avoid rejection of their forms.
DSM/RM /AS
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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
MNRE has identified Solar PV Recycling as one of the priority thrust areas under “Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme ”: Union Power & NRE Minister Shri R. K. Singh
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy  supports a scheme “Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme ” through various research institutions and industry to enable indigenous technology development and manufacture for wide spread applications of new and renewable energy in efficient and cost-effective manner across the country with the aim of increasing share of renewables in the energy mix in the country.
MNRE has identified Solar PV Recycling as one of the priority thrust areas under RE-RTD in which some research projects have been received for recycling and recovery of critical materials.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has notified the E-Waste  Rules, 2022 on 2nd November, 2022. These rules replace E-Waste  Rules, 2016 with effect from 1st April, 2023. These rules have been notified for environmentally sound management of e-waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, including solar photo-voltaic  modules or panels or cells.
As per these rules, every manufacturer and producer of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells has been mandated to obtain registration, maintain inventory of solar PV modules, store the waste generated from Solar PV modules/panels/cells up to the year 2034-35 as per the guidelines laid down under the rules, ﬁle annual returns, comply with Standard Operating Procedures, and process the waste other than solar PV modules as per the applicable waste management rules. Further, Recycler of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells shall be mandated for recovery of material as laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Under these rules, the Central Pollution Control Board  is mandated to prepare and issue guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for collection, storage, transportation, segregation, refurbishment, dismantling, recycling and disposal of e-waste, including solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells waste. There is currently no proposal to setup a separate regulatory body in addition to the regulatory framework existent under the E-waste  Rules, 2022 to protect against the financial losses incurred in waste collection and treatment.
This information was given by the Union Minister of New Renewable Energy & Power Sh. R. K. Singh in Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage crosses the landmark of 91 Cr
More than 72.51 Lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently at 97.93%; Highest since March 2020
18,346 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  is 0.75% of Total Cases
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 102 days
With the administration of 72,51,419 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage crossed the landmark of 91 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 88,75,020 sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,74,089
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
89,46,803
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,55,901
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,51,44,069
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
37,03,90,293
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9,06,64,628
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
16,19,93,955
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7,93,41,865
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|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10,26,93,150
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
5,75,61,073
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|
Total
|
|
91,54,65,826
The recovery of 29,639 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,31,50,886.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.93%. Recovery Rate is currently at its highest peak since March 2020.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 100 consecutive days now.
18,346 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload is presently 2,52,902, which is the lowest in 201 days. Active cases presently constitute 0.75% of the country's total Positive Cases.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of
11,41,642 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 57.53 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 1.66% remains less than 3% for the last 102 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be 1.61%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 3% for last 36 days and below 5% for 119 consecutive days now.
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayoghosts Conference on The Future of Indian Banking
NITI Aayog co-hosted a conference on “The Future of Indian Banking” on February 22, 2019, with the Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare . Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the event.
The conference aimed to increase and elevate the discourse on the banking sector in India, and help develop insights to inform the continued evolution of the Indian banking sector for optimally supporting the growing credit needs of the Indian economy.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar highlighted the tremendous progress made by the banking system in the past four years that provided a strong foundation for a long runway for expanding credit and supporting accelerating growth of India’s economy. He indicated that there was still a lot of work to be done in improving the financial system and furthering reforms in the financial sector.
The other key messages from the deliberations included:
- Technology has become critically important for banking already and will continue to become more important in future. This will serve to bring banking closer to the customer, including those in rural areas, and also bring tremendous efficiencies with greater speed of service at much lower cost.
- Appropriate skilling of banking human resources is necessary to keep pace with best credit practices and new technology-based banking paradigm. In addition, banking staff needs to be trained to prepare for a larger role of banking in expanding the Indian economy.
- The banking industry has to be continuously prepared for fraud and rising cyber security risks.
- The banking industry requires a suitable vigilance mechanism for trustworthy banking but with a clear mandate to distinguish between deliberate action, criminal negligence, error in judgment or unforeseeable business risk.
- There may be a need to think again in terms of specialised and sector based banking.
- Public sector banks have consistently supported social banking, unlike private and foreign banks. Public sector banks should continue to do so.
- To compete effectively globally there is a need for bigger banks in India.
- There is a need for more research on banking sector issues, specific to the Indian context.
The event hosted over 200 domestic and international participants, including policy makers, academicians, researchers, professionals, and students from various banks, universities and institutes.The eminent speakers included Dr. Rajiv Kumar, VC NITI Aayog, Shri Rajiv Kumar, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Dr. K.V. Subramanian, CEA, Government of India, Dr. Andreas Bauer, Senior Resident Representative, IMF, Dr. Marius Vismantas, Lead Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank, Shri Sunil Mehta, MD, Punjab National Bank, Shri NandkumarSaravade, CEO, Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd , and Dr. Arvind Virmani, Chairman, EGROW Foundation.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
"Indo-Israeli JV IOC Phinergy Pvt Ltd to boost India's e-Mobility aspirations"
Maruti Suzuki and Ashok Leyland signs LOI with the new JV
Today, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel, along with Minister of Energy, Israel, Dr. Yuval Steinitz , witnessed the launching of a Joint Venture  between Indian Oil Corporation Limited  and Phinergy, an Israeli start-up company specializing in hybrid lithium-ion and aluminium-air/zinc-air battery systems.
Based on domestically available aluminum, the joint venture plans to manufacture Aluminum-Air systems in India. Under this technology, recycling of used Aluminum will help India in becoming “Aatmanirbhar” for energy requirements. The new Indo-Israeli JV also intends to develop fuel cells and indigenous hydrogen storage solutions for promoting green mobility.
This collaboration was initiated during the visit of Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India to Israel in July 2017.Following which, Letter of Intent were exchanged between the respective companies during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Israel to India in 2018.
In a significant boost to India's pursuit of e-mobility, the two of the leading Automotive manufactures in India, Maruti Suzuki and Ashok Leyland, signed Letters of Intent  with the newly incorporated JV IOC Phinergy Limited during the ceremony.
Speaking on occasion, Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned that energy is integral to support our fast-growing Indian economy and its ambitions. He said that the technology to develop indigenous batteries using locally available Aluminum fits into the energy vision of India as espoused by Prime Minister Modi, wherein he has given a clear call for increasing contribution of electricity to decarbonize mobility
In his remarks Minister of Energy, Israel, Dr. Yuval Steinitz, stated that we have been looking to provide clean energy to India using technology that is made in Israel. This has been a big dream and the dream is becoming a reality today with the signing of these MoUs. I am sure that we are going to succeed with the help of all stakeholders.
The collaboration between IndianOil and Phinenergy marks yet another substantive step towards the collaboration between the two countries in the Energy sector.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA opens branch office in Mumbai
The branch to provide the easy access and services to the company’s borrowers and stakeholders in the region.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.  has opened its third branch office in the country in Mumbai for facilitation of its customer, borrowers and other stakeholders. The Agency, a Mini Ratna  Government of India Enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy  already has two branch offices in Chennai and Hyderabad.
Shri Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA opened the new office of the company in Andheri East, Mumbai today in the presence of Shri Chintan Shah, Director , borrowers and other senior officials. Speaking on the occasion, CMD said, “Mumbai branch is an important step towards realizing the company’s vision for expansion of business. It will provide the easy access and services to the company’s borrowers and stakeholders in the region.”
CMD said, “Mumbai being the financial capital and with a large concentration of IREDA’s business nearby, the opening of the branch was a long felt need. In the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, this step will be especially helpful to all concerned.” Shri Das said, the company will consider opening of branch offices in other parts of country as per potential of business. He underlined that the current drive of the company for decentralization is part of its commitment to ease of doing business, an agenda set out by the Government.
About IREDA
IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company established as a Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987 engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance for setting up projects relating to new and renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation with the motto: “ENERGY FOR EVER”. IREDA’s corporate and registered office housed in New Delhi.
RCJ/M
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Ministry of Defence
MULTILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE MALABAR 2021 – PHASE II IN BAY OF BENGAL 12 – 15 OCT 21
The Indian Navy  would be participating in the Second Phase of Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar along with the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force , Royal Australian Navy  and the United States Navy . The exercise is being conducted in the Bay of Bengal from 12 – 15 Oct 2021. First Phase of the exercise was conducted in the Phillipines Sea from 26 – 29 Aug 2021.
The Indian Navy’s participation includes INS Ranvijay, INS Satpura, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and a Submarine. The US Navy will be represented by the Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson along with two destroyers, USS Lake Champlain and USS Stockdale. The JMSDF will be represented by JS Kaga and JS Murasame. Whilst, the Royal Australian Navy will be represented by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Sirius.
The Second Phase of the exercise would build upon the synergy, coordination and inter-operability developed during the First Phase of the exercise and would focus on advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolutions and weapon firings.
The Malabar series of exercises, which began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992, has seen increasing scope and complexity over the years. The 25th edition of MALABAR, being conducted in two phases, while observing all protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, is reflective of the commitment of the participating countries to support a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific as well as a rules-based international order.
IFSC Authority
Regulatory framework for Angel Funds to facilitate investments in start-ups
The International Financial Services Centres Authority , in furtherance of its mandate to develop and regulate financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centres , had notified the IFSCA  Regulations, 2022 in April 2022 enabling the regulatory framework for various activities related to fund management including schemes for investing in early-stage venture capital undertaking .
Angel Funds bridge the gap between start-ups and angel investors, who are instrumental in providing mentoring, and resources to the start-ups. In recognition of the same, IFSCA has now issued a framework for Angel funds under the IFSCA  Regulations, 2022. The salient features of the said framework are as under:
- A Fund Management Entity  in IFSC will be able to launch Angel Fund by filing a placement memorandum with the Authority under a Green Channel, i.e. the schemes can open for subscription by investors immediately upon filing the placement memorandum with the Authority.
- Angel Funds shall accept investments from accredited investors or investors who are willing to commit at least USD 40,000 over 5 years.
- Angel Funds are permitted to invest in start-ups as well as other regulated angel schemes in IFSC, India, foreign jurisdictions upon receiving consent from the desirous investors.
- While investment by an Angel Fund in a start-up is capped at USD 1,500,000, the Angel fund is permitted to invest in subsequent rounds of fund raising by the start-up in order to protect its shareholding from dilution, subject to certain conditions.
The detailed framework for Angel Funds may be accessed at https://ifsca.gov.in/Circular
Ministry of Defence
MEGA COASTAL DEFENCE EXERCISE “SEA VIGIL” CONDUCTED SUCCESSFULLY
Kolkata: 04 Magha 1940
Thursday, 24 January 2019-01-24
The Navy along with the Coast Guard successfully conducted the Coastal Defence Exercise “Sea Vigil” in close coordination with all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities from 22 to 23 Jan 2019. The mega exercise, first of its kind, was undertaken along the entire 7516.6 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone  of India with over 30 ships and aircrafts of Indian Navy and Coast Guard as well as 85 patrol boats manned by various security agencies participating from West Bengal, Odhisa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. While the Marine police boats were operating up to five miles from the coast, Navy and Coast guard had deployed their assets on the high seas. Air tasks of IN/ICG assets were also undertaken to maintain high vigil.
To evaluate the coastal security mechanism, simulated infiltration from the sea by joint teams of security agencies collectively called Red Force was attempted. These teams aimed to breach the multi-tier security barriers at sea, close to the land and in the hinterland. Hijack/ hostage situation onboard merchant vessels operating off east coast was also simulated to check effectiveness of CMG  and Naval Commandos.
The conduct of this exercise has been facilitated by Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs, Shipping, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Fisheries, Customs, state governments, Union Territories and other agencies of the Centre/ state.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant meets Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan
Goa, 8 November 2022
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L. Murugan met Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today. The Chief Minister and Union Minister of State discussed various aspects about the upcoming 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India. As the festival is expected to witness a very high number of celebrities and film personalities both Indian and global, special attention is being made to ensure preparations are of very high standards.
The Chief Minister and Union Minister of State also discussed aspects of the Fisheries sector in Goa and what measures can be taken to facilitate the sector’s growth. The Union Minister was on a two day visit of Goa to take stock of the progress of work with regard to IFFI 53 and various other development projects.PIB Panaji | Gautam SK/D.Rane
Follow us on Social Media:@PIBPanaji /PIBPanaji /pib_goa pibgoa[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBGoa
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
USD 523.8 million worth of onions exported from April to December 2022
No restrictions or prohibitions on the export of onions from India
USD 523.8 million worth of onions was exported from April to December 2022.
Government has not restricted or prohibited the export of onion. The extant export policy of onions is ‘Free’. Only the export of onion seed is ‘Restricted’ and that too is permitted under Authorisation from DGFT.
DGFT vide Notification No. 50 dt. 28.12.2020 amended export policy of Onion  in cut, sliced or broken in powder form and Bangalore Rose onions and Krishnapuram onions excluding cut, sliced or broken in powder form from 'prohibited' to 'free'.
Month wise export data for 2022
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Month wise 
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Value wise 
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% increase in exports from 2021 to 2022
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|
Apr
|
|
48.0
|
|
13.74
|
|
May
|
|
31.9
|
|
13.20
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|
Jun
|
|
36.0
|
|
-25.19
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|
Jul
|
|
50.1
|
|
19.74
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|
Aug
|
|
49.0
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|
-5.21
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|
Sep
|
|
50.7
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|
7.56
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|
Oct
|
|
40.8
|
|
17.33
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|
Nov
|
|
45.9
|
|
71.39
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|
Dec
|
|
52.1
|
|
49.76
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|
Total
|
|
523.8
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|
16.3
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Employees of EPFO contribute Rs 2.5 crore to PM CARES fund
The employees of Employees Provident Fund Organization  have also come forward to support the Government’s initiative in combating national crisis of COVID-19 pandemic and voluntarily contributed one day’s salary- amounting to around Rs. 2.5 crore to the PM CARES Fund. EPFO, as one of World's largest Social Security Organizations, stands committed in the service of the nation in every possible way.
The COVID-19, declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has posed serious challenges for the health and economic security of millions of Indians. Government of India has set up a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’  with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation.
Officers and staff of EPFO are also contributing by putting in extra efforts for providing relief by expeditiously processing EPF withdrawal claims including COVID claims under PMGKY package, etc.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s meeting with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea  on 22 May 2023 in Port Moresby, on the sidelines of the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation .
Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Marape for the warm welcome and for co-hosting the 3rd FIPIC Summit. Both leaders took stock of their bilateral relations and discussed ways and means to further strengthen their partnership across various sectors, including trade & investment, health, capacity building & skill development and Information Technology. They also discussed issues related climate action and promoting people to people ties. Prime Minister reiterated India’s support and respect for the priorities and wishes of the Pacific Island nations.
Prime Minister and Prime Minister Marape launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ to Tok Pisin language of PNG. The translated book is co-authored by linguist Mrs. Subha Sasindran & Mr. Sasindran Muthuvel, Governor of West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea. The book has a foreword by Prime Minister Marape.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated the authors and complimented them on their contribution towards preserving the tenets of Indian thought and culture in Papua New Guinea.